The Delta independent., 1887-06-28

ship and started for the Allen farm.
After his mothers death he had not
chosen his associates wisely, nut in
spite Of scorn and opposition. without
disobsdiense. she had elung to him and
trusted.
Then osme the affair at the village.
One dark night party of roughs had
broken into Squire Peasley's barn, tied
together the legs OF all his hens. nailed
up Whitefoofs stall, and then, climb
ing the roof of the ell, had placed a
board soaked in salt and water over
the chimney. The,old gentleman. who
lived alone. was obliged to travel on a
slippery ground to the nearest neighbor
for help. The villagers were justly in
dignant. and for furnishing the miscre.
ants. but no clue to them could be
found.
Will was away from home that
night. and suspicion rested on him as
one of the party, until he could bear
it no longer. and decided to 60 away.
1t seemed but yesterday-their part
ing in tho old trysting place.
Will had slipped the tiny gold band
she wore upon her finger--it seemed
but thread of gold now-asking her
to wear it until he came back.
''For," said he, "Fll never come
back till can offer you a name and
home. Somehow. the devil has had
possession of me lately. but bad rs
am, would scorn to do what they ac-
cuse me of-torture a feeble old man.
While you believe and trust me- there
are plenty who do not" And with a
last Goodbye, my Beth" he was
gone. When the first letter came ad-
dressed to Miss Beth Allen in Wills
round. boyish hand. Mr.. Alley frowned
and his wife scolded; but when she
was for stopping the correspondence
at once. he said:
There. there. mother! let the girl
write to him if she wants to; she won't
do him any harm, and l can trust her
for a true Allen not to go far out of
tho way"
So the matter had dropped. and for
five years 'Lzabetll's letters were re-.
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and unexpectedly.
For months 'Lizabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an II told you ho
didn t amount to anything" whenever
there was no one but her husband to
hear, and Mr.. Allen waited in silence.
Time does much toward healing
such wounds. and five years had made
it seem more like an unpleasant dream
than II realit. when the news of Wills
return came. awakening memories of
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weather.
wise. The snow had fallen through
the night. covering the earth us with
mantle; the feathery flakes continued
TO come lazily down until just before
twelve O'Clock, then there was rift
in the western sky. and when the old
yellow sic gh stood NJ The door the
sun sl,one as bright Us ever.
..Be careful. father, aud don't lot
'Lizabeth get cold waiting for YOU"
was Mrs. Aliens pairing injunction as
she came to the door to see them of.
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly-fallen snow and send it in lit
tie wh rls to lie sparkling and glstening
n few yards from where it had fallen.
Robin was in excellent spirits, and Mr..
Allen declared as he drew up in front
of the village post office that the dis
tance never seemed so short.
Draw the robe close around you.
darter, and don't get tired waiting.
I've got to bargain with Sam Chase
about that stove. but I'll be quick rs
can; then we'll drive down to Burn
hams and get the book you mention.
ed" With this and an extra pull to
Robins blanket. Mr.. Allen was gone.
''Father was right, the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new one,"
'Lizabeth thought. as she nestled down
in one corner. drawing the robes more
closely to Keep out the puffs of wind
that tried to find enterance at all cor
ners. While tucking the robe between
the cushion and the side of the sleigh
her finger touched something smooth
like paper.
"One of fathers old receipts. he's so
careless" she thought with a fond
smile, as she drew it forth for inspec-
ton. But glance was needed to show
her mistake.
1t was q letter yellow with age, un-
opened and addressed TO herself in the
handwriting she knew SO we'll. She
could scarcely trust her eyes. but there
was the familiar post-mark-San Fran
cisco-and she was just leaning for
ward to read the date, when gust OF
wind. taking it from her hands. de-
posted it ut the feet of gentleman
who was passing.
She dared not look up. but in mo-
ment he was handing it toward her.
say ng:
'Is this your property. Miss Allen"
At the sound of the voice, SO little
changed that she would know it any
where, the hot blood rushed TO her face,
a nd ahe had acarcelv cOuraUo tn ren1v: